[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]Disclaimer I am not a professional streamer. This topic is based off a viewers opinion, and other viewers opinions. You may feel free to post below things you think can be added to this topic. This does NOT guarantee you viewers.[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Topic #1: Where/how do I begin?
Let's begin. First off, you should have an idea of a game, or games, you would like to stream to your audience. Note if the game is too popular like League of Legends or Counter Strike, you're lower on the lists on twitch and can gain less viewers (Obvious, not saying you can't get viewers it's very possible.)

- Make your twitch name unique, don't copy! It doesn't look really too good on your stream
- Stream consistently, If you don't yet stream there will be a tutorial on how to get started below!
- Try to be your own self, have a unique stream with your own kind of content. Not copying a streamer like nightblue3 or PhantomL0rd for example.
- Have a clean, attractive, overlay (this does not mean a big girl on your screen)

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]Topic #2: How do I start Streaming?
First off you will need to find a broadcasting software. There are several you can pick from but I would recommend you the free software instead of ones you have to pay for.

When you have a software picked out that you absolutely can get used to, it's time to get your stream key.
You can get this by going to: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] , Make sure you are logged in, it should ask you to if you are not. When you are on the page you should see a purple button that says "Show Stream Key." You will need this, so copy it down. Note you CAN change your key when you need or want to.

Now for the next part it depends on what program you are streaming with. So I have picked out a few videos for you to watch in tutorial for whatever program you have. I am only providing videos for the listed software's in this topic.

Open Broadcaster Software

xSplit Broadcaster

Wirecast

Evolve
Can't find. Probably really simple.

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]Topic #3, How do I gain viewers?
There really isn't a very very good way to gain viewers quick. But there are ways to over-timely gain viewers to your twitch.

- Be an active streamer, stream almost everyday, viewers appreciate it and usually keep coming back to say hi for a few mins, which turns into a very active view to your channel.
- Do some giveaways! Yes, that word "Giveaway" attracts the biggest noobs to your channel you will ever know, but some do stay! You will gain followers but the people who are still interested can stay. Don't do this all the time or it just fills your channels followers/viewers with giveaway hungry plebs.
- Interact with your viewers when you can! Yes! Please, I see so many lower viewed channels and some don't interact with their viewers. If you interact the best way you can then your viewers will get to know you better.
-Play games with your viewers. Viewer games are another way for you to interact. And long term viewers would appreciate to play a game with you now and then usually.

-Recommendation: Don't follow for Follow, this is not the way to really gain viewers, plus the person who follows you for your follow can unfollow later on.

-Don't Spam chats for "Please watch my stream zomg.", If people want to watch you they will come. Don't beg for viewers via donations, chats on twitch. This gets you no where and leads to hate usually.

Below your stream, you have an area where you can add information below your stream. With this I will show you examples from my stream if you would like to see examples.

Have it nicely set up and readable. Usually people can get to know you through an "About Me" box below your stream which makes it easier so people don't ask you through your chat. Take this example in the image below from my stream itself. This is how my information tabs are setup.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ](Dark theme from BetterTTV Dark theme)
Having things like Stream Schedules, About Me, What equipment you use, What kind of computer you have, useful information that your viewer can have from you for them to get to know you, your play styles, and maybe games you play, or even to identify you on games and become friends if you have the room on your friends lists. Or maybe you just don't want to answer the same question over and over again if you become a relevantly popular streamer with a substantial amount of viewers.

Topic #4.5 - Set up your banner (NEW)
Twitch Introduced on 9.29.2016 a new layout. With the new update, I recommend adding more flare to your channel with banners! They are now located above your stream video area.
[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

1. BetterTTV - Most twitch streamers know about this addon. This is an addon you can download at [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] . You also get things like BTTV Emotes. A Full features list is available on their website.

2. Streamtip - [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] , This is a place where you can track tips you receive. Since I don't accept donations on my stream at this time, I have no idea what the process is to linking this service, but I am well aware that it's safe and used by many streamers.

3. streamlabs - Stream labs are your Follower,donation, etc... Alerts that pop up on a stream. Just like streamtip it can track your donations as well ( I recommend this one personally I use the site anyways) You can get your alert box, donation goal, donation ticket, stream labels (Downloadable content) , and even your chatbox showing up onto your streams screen.

You now know the basics, now get to streaming and see what you got, get out there and create your audience. Happy streaming!Now, click this spoiler and wait.

Going to leave my bit of 2 cents to this thread, another BIG tip to becoming a successful Twitch streamer is to network. GET YOURSELF OUT THERE. Create a social media base through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Not only interact with your viewers but with other streamers and important figures in the gaming industry. Build connections and relationships with other streamers that could help you out, give you advice, and even become friends with them. Hosting has become such a great way for smaller streamers to become big and create a big audience for themselves. Don't be afraid to create connections and contacts with people in the industry. It might sound bad, like you are using them or whatever, but it's business; Twitch for bigger streamers is their job. It is important to create these connections to further grow your "business." You never know, you might meet good friends this way that share the same passion as you do. Word to word gets around, and it helps you grow. Getting to know figures in the e-sports or gaming industry can even help with sponsors, partnerships, and affiliations.

To expand and develop your audience requires work. It's more than just turning on stream and playing some games.

Not sure if you knew but it used to be called "Stream Tips" but it's called "streamlabs" twitch.streamlabs.com now another one to add to your stream for other people to tip on your stream.

You can always talk about BetterTTV, download the Chrome Ad on an you'll get BetterTTV for Twitch. It's easy to set up basically download it and you've got it for Chrome/Twitch. nightdev.com/betterttv/ You have a few features that you may want to add as well.

- Blocks out Bits (Bits is another way forward to support that certain streamer. Only royal Twitch viewers will understand where I'm coming from)

- You can choose a White or Black Background basically like what TTG has.

- You can block from other people whispering you on Twitch. That get annoying if too many people message you at once.

- You can get extra emotes like BetterTTV Emotes. They tend to upgrade now and again.

- You can also make your own customized emotes for Twitch supported by BetterTTV. Unfortunately you can't share your emotes in other chats in that sense but other streamers can select your emotes for them to use in their chats. You can go here to view; manage.betterttv.net/

Not sure if you knew but it used to be called "Stream Tips" but it's called "streamlabs" twitch.streamlabs.com now another one to add to your stream for other people to tip on your stream.

You can always talk about BetterTTV, download the Chrome Ad on an you'll get BetterTTV for Twitch. It's easy to set up basically download it and you've got it for Chrome/Twitch. nightdev.com/betterttv/ You have a few features that you may want to add as well.

- Blocks out Bits (Bits is another way forward to support that certain streamer. Only royal Twitch viewers will understand where I'm coming from)

- You can choose a White or Black Background basically like what TTG has.

- You can block from other people whispering you on Twitch. That get annoying if too many people message you at once.

- You can get extra emotes like BetterTTV Emotes. They tend to upgrade now and again.

- You can also make your own customized emotes for Twitch supported by BetterTTV. Unfortunately you can't share your emotes in other chats in that sense but other streamers can select your emotes for them to use in their chats. You can go here to view; manage.betterttv.net/

I took your suggestion into consideration and used it. I credited you in the the topic. Thanks for your contribution.